Encourage Your Kids While You Can

I was thinking today about encouragement and how important it is to receive it during childhood. I don’t have kids. I did want them but I wasn’t blessed with them. But one thing I was thinking about as I was having this conversation was how important it is to really encourage kids. I know that my parents loved me, but I don’t think they encouraged me all the time like I needed to be. I think they thought they were. But I didn’t feel encouraged to try things and pursue things.

As an adult I am finding I am better at things than I realized. I didn’t pursue education in these things. I just kept doing them because I liked them. Thankfully some of it worked! While my writing isn’t Pulitzer quality, it is therapeutic for me and some people do enjoy it. While my art isn’t on the same level as Van Gogh, I did a painting inspired by his “Irises”.  Below is my painting. I hope you enjoy.

The point to this blog is that I hope parents will watch their kids and see what their interests are and encourage them. It may not be something you have any real knowledge about, but you can encourage them and help them learn more. Maybe you can even learn more with them. Kids need encouragement. It helps them know they can do something. So often we are plagued with others telling us we can’t or we hear our own inner voice telling us that things are impossible. If we have the people we love the most cheering us on, then we can achieve more. This even works in adulthood. Who doesn’t need a cheerleader?

I Like Kid Movies

Beezus and Ramona (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yeah, I’m an adult. I don’t care! I like kid movies! So there!

What prompts this outburst? I just finished watching the movie “Ramona and Beezus” and I loved it. I grew up reading Beverly Cleary books and to see this lovable character come to life was great. I always loved Ramona’s antics. I will admit there didn’t seem to be too many repercussions for some of her behavior but in general she was a fun character that I loved reading about.

I think this movie really lived up to the books. I know people are thinking, “They’re books for kids!” Yes, they are. But if you think about it, it really could have gone in the opposite direction. They could have totally ruined a childhood favorite. Not this movie! If you ever read the books, you’ll love it. With Selena Gomez as Beezus, John Corbett as Dad, Bridget Moynahan as Mom, Ginnifer Goodwin as Aunt Bea, and Josh Duhamel as Hobart Kemp you had a great cast. Then add Joey King as Ramona. Well, what can I say? She was the perfect person for this lovable little girl.

So in case you wanted a walk down memory lane that is pretty easy to sit back and smile at, check it out. The time watching it was like a time machine and I was instantly a kid again.

Related articles

• Review: Ramona and Beezus Pleases (seattlepi.com)
• ‘Ramona and Beezus’: Sisters come to life in sunny series of escapades (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Review: ‘Ramona and Beezus’ (mysanantonio.com)
• Ramona grows up, just a little bit (theglobeandmail.com)
• A family film with a dose of reality (thestar.com)
• Ramona’s journey began in 1955 book (mysanantonio.com)

Rent Toys?

So I have been reading the newest trend in toys…rent them! What? For real? I don’t think I want rented toys. It’s one thing to rent a movie. You watch it and then are done. But a toy? Come on! I saw it here 
http://www.hlntv.com/video/2011/12/05/toy-rental
 and was wowed.

I keep thinking of how nasty kids are in general. Snotty, nasty kids handling toys and then parents sending them back. Whoever came up with this idea didn’t think it through. I can see the thought of “Oh my kids get tired of toys so quickly!” And if that is the case then maybe you need to look at how much you’re buying them. Overstimulation makes them uninterested in things as well as unappreciative.

Used toys just don’t sound appealing to me. Not only are kids dirty but kids are destructive. What if you get a broken toy? What happens then? Do they send you something new?

What do you think of these used toys? Would you get in on this program?

My Cats ARE Like Kids

There are some people who want to believe I am the crazy cat lady because I feel my cats have humanistic characteristics. They have either never had cats or never been around them. My cats are like kids. They behave very much like them. I know they’re not human. But let me tell you, they sure can behave a lot like humans!

Both of my cats have distinct personalities. Chloe is independent and self-reliant. She only wants you when she needs something that she can’t get on her own. Chloe is so independent that she doesn’t meow like most cats. No, my cat barks. Yes, you read that right. She barks. It’s this funny meh meh meh sound but it is definitely not meowing. Soleil on the other hand is a clingy, attention-seeking personality. She needs me to love on her constantly to feel loved. She is a “talker” and will meow quite loudly if she is not getting the attention she feels she deserves or needs.

I have been waking up to find my glasses on the floor beside the bed. I thought I was knocking them off in my sleep. I found out this morning that is not the case. The way I found out was the I didn’t jump when Soleil wanted me to and so she meowed by my head for about a minute. When I didn’t stir she moved to the table and she knocked them off. It was as if she was saying, “Ha! I’ll show you!” That didn’t set too well with me, but I did get up. I was awake at that point.

So whether you like cats or not, they are like kids. Their behaviors are quite similar. It may not always be pleasant, but they are cute. And I do love them. And I am not the crazy cat lady! I only have 2 bratty cats and realize I do not really want or need anymore.